The Daily Brief for Benefits Professionals
BenefitsWire
Retirement Plans
October 2, 2026
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11 items · ~3 min read
Top of the Brief
Analysts Spot Shift in How Companies View Their Pension Funds“Plan sponsors are seeking flexibility, rather than planning for hibernation or termination, as they consider how to get the most from a fully funded plan.”
In this issue
General Benefits (1) · Retirement Plans (7) · Litigation (1) · Executive Compensation (1) · Regulatory Action and Guidance (1)
General Benefits
1 item[Regulatory Action and Guidance]
Developing Keith Sonderling Confirmed as 31st Secretary of Labor“You can take that “Acting” out of Keith Sonderling’s title, as the U.S. Senate late Wednesday confirmed him as the 31stU.S. Secretary of Labor along a party line vote of 47-41. Sonderling succeeds Lori Chavez DeRemer, who resigned back in April amid a variety of official misconduct allegations. Sonderling, who was confirmed by the Senate as United States Deputy Secretary of Labor on March 12, 2025, was designated as Acting Secretary of Labor on April 20, 2026 by President Donald J. Trump, who subsequently nominated him to serve as Secretary of Labor on June 29, 2026.” MORE >>
Source: 401(k) Specialist
Retirement Plans
7 items[Regulatory Action and Guidance]
Treasury and IRS Issue Sample Rollover Forms under SECURE 2.0 - Spotlight on Benefits“On August 12, 2026, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Notice 2026-49, providing the first formal guidance under the SECURE 2.0 Act on simplifying and standardizing the rollover process for qualified retirement plans.” MORE >>
Source: spotlightonbenefits.com
“Since its inception in 2021, Special Financial Assistance Program grants have added 9% to the aggregate funding level of U.S. multiemployer plans, per Milliman.” MORE >>
Source: PLANSPONSOR
“However, workforce participation and automatic enrollment are much lower among smaller businesses, according to the report.” MORE >>
Source: PLANSPONSOR
“Plan sponsors are seeking flexibility, rather than planning for hibernation or termination, as they consider how to get the most from a fully funded plan.” MORE >>
Source: PLANSPONSOR
“Debates are ongoing about the most efficient and effective ways companies can use the money they would otherwise contribute to their plan.” MORE >>
Source: PLANSPONSOR
"Plan sponsors and fiduciaries regularly review investment performance, fees, participation and contribution levels, withdrawals, distributions, and other plan metrics. Those reports are an important oversight tool, but they may not by themselves provide the information needed for a complete plan assessment. A retirement plan may be well administered and have strong aggregate participation, and still not be working at an optimum level for all parts of the workforce. A useful question, then, is what do the plan’s data and experience reveal about how employees are actually using the plan benefits?" MORE >>
Source: Trucker Huss
“What are plan sponsors prioritizing most right now, and what do those priorities signal about the future of workplace retirement plans? In this exclusive article, Jason Crane, president of Retirement Plan Services at Lincoln Financial, explores four questions shaping retirement plan conversations today and shares insights into the trends, opportunities, and evolving expectations influencing sponsor decision-making.” MORE >>
Source: 401(k) Specialist
Litigation
1 item[Retirement Plans]
Vanguard Investor Choice Participation Surges Sixfold in 2026“More than 500,000 investors now participate in Vanguard’s proxy voting choice program, while nearly 80 retirement plan sponsors representing a million participants have signed on Participation in Vanguard Investor Choice, the world’s largest retail proxy voting choice program, accelerated dramatically in 2026, according to Vanguard’s just released 2026 How Investors Vote Report.” MORE >>
Source: 401(k) Specialist
Executive Compensation
1 item"This article examines the issue from both sides [Employer and Executive]: what optionholders should monitor before their options expire and what companies can do to reduce last-minute problems." MORE >>
Source: Cohen & Buckman, P.C.
Regulatory Action and Guidance
1 item"On April 1, 2026, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued Technical Release 2026-01 (the “Technical Release”), providing guidance regarding the application of ERISA’s fiduciary requirements to proxy advisory firms. The Technical Release addresses the fiduciary responsibilities of plan fiduciaries that use proxy advisers, the circumstances under which proxy advisory firms may be treated as ERISA fiduciaries, and the extent to which ERISA preempts state laws regulating proxy advisory services." MORE >>
Source: Trucker Huss
Also of Note
- Federal Agencies Issue Guidance on Employer Trump Account Contributions — “The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provided new guidance on how employers can contribute to Trump Accounts, also known as Section 530a accounts.” (Hall Benefits Law)